We have four geldings, all nearly 12 years old. Their names are: Faro, Fyta, Fergus and Fidget. We started keeping Alpacas with these 4 boys in June 2007 and although we had up to eight boys for several years, we have now reverted to keeping our original four. Through this blog we hope to show how much pleasure can be had from owning Alpacas.

OUR SMALL HERD

Our four boys came from Ardo Alpacas in Aberdeenshire. We are not alpaca breeders and have our boys purely as pets. Our experience is that you don't need to be a breeder and that a 'batchelor herd' can give much pleasure to the owner.
We have 5 acres including our big garden and grazing for the boys, 15 miles north of Inverness, Scotland. I spin, knit, felt and crochet with the fleece from the boys.

Clicking!!

Just a reminder that clicking on (most) of the photos will show them greatly enlarged.

Sunday, 23 June 2013

Midge madness

The weather during this past week has gone from 'very hot' with no midges to 'balmy' with millions of midges! We know from experience that for a couple of weeks after shearing the boys are very sensitive to anything landing on them, especially on the underside, near the all important 'bits!' The boys have spent long periods in their shelters trying to get away from the biting hordes, or dipping in the water trays or just running about trying to avoid them. These photos were taken in the early morning when it was damp from overnight rain, and warm. Faro has one foot in the tray but is soon nudged out of the way by Fyta who loves the water.

Then along comes Fergus who is also being driven mad by the flying beasties and wants to take over the water tray.

The result as all alpaca owners will recognise is the 'heads in the air' stance and spitting at the sky! Wee Eck has also arrived at the tray for a bit of a splash.

There goes Gully, trotting off to the shelter and trying to avoid the midges. He has particularly sensitive skin and he will often remain in the rear darkness of the shelter until the wind rises or the temperature drops and the midges disappear.

And there goes Rufus - he's had enough of the midges too!

Now it's all too much for Gaucho so he heads for the shelter. Meanwhile Rufus attacks the midges which are attacking his undercarriage (don't try this position at home!)

Another change round and Gaucho and Fyta are dunking again!

And finally...........after all the rushing about, dunking and midgie avoidance, best place to go is into the steading and settle down to some hay. Front to back - Wee Eck, Rufus, Fyta and Fidget.

4 comments:

We have had lots of Midges...too, mind you its pouring down now, so back to the usual scottish summer ! Zaninni is like Gully, he spends most sunny days hiding in the shelter then out late evening to graze .....Jayne